Brian Laundrie's Family Pay Tribute To Gabby Petito After Body Found

Brian Laundrie's family have paid tribute to Gabby Petito after police found a body matching her description in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Petito and her fiance, Laundrie, had been driving around national parks in the US in their van, all the while documenting their trip on social media.

Her family hadn't heard from the 22-year-old since 25 August, and they subsequently reported her missing on 11 September.

Laundrie returned with the van to North Port, Florida - where they had been living prior to setting off on their journey - but police said his family wouldn't let officers speak to him.

The family have since said they don't know where he is, and following the discovery of the body, they shared a small tribute through their attorney.

Instagram/gabspetito

The statement read: "The news about Gabby Petito is heartbreaking. The Laundrie family prays for Gabby and her family."

North Port Police confirmed that the body had been found in a statement which read: "We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that Gabby has been found deceased.

"Our focus from the start, along with the FBI, and national partners, has been to bring her home.

"We will continue to work with the FBI in the search for more answers."

The FBI said full forensic identification had not yet taken place and a cause of death had not been established.

In a statement, it said: "The search revealed human remains consistent with the description of Gabrielle 'Gabby' Petito.

"Full forensic identification has not been completed and we do not yet know the cause of death. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process.

"The FBI and our partners extend our heartfelt condolences to Gabby's family and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and our thoughts are with them as they mourn the loss of their daughter."

Petito's dad Joseph said 'she touched the world' on Twitter and the family's lawyer Richard Benson Stafford made an announcement on their behalf.

He said: "I am making a personal request to members of the press and news media to refrain from contacting the Schmidt and Petito family.

"Due to today's developments, we are asking the press and news media to have some decorum and sensitivity for Gabby's family and allow them to grieve.

"I will be in contact with you when Gabby's family is ready to make a public statement."

Topics: US News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey